Deep-Sea Coral Reefs Project (DESCOR): GIBS has an ongoing research project for conservation and protection of deep-coral reefs on both sides of the North Atlantic Ocean, with research on Lophelia reefs on Blake Plateau off US Southeastern coast and Lophelia reefs in the Archipelago south of Norway in Skagerrak in the Northeastern Atlantic Ocean. Research on Blake Plateau deep-sea coral reefs is done in collaboration with John Reed of Harbor Branch Oceanography Institute and research on Scandinavian Lophelia reefs is done in the summers in collaboration with Tomas Lundalv of the Tjarnoe Marine Biology Laboratories in Sweden.

Prof. George (GIBS President) is honorary professor at the Kristineberg Marine Research Station, operated by the Swedish Royal Academy. GIBS uses R/V Arne Tiselius for research off the West coast of Sweden and R/V Cape Haterras off US East Coast. (Funding requested for these studies from NSF and NOAA-OE). In 2005 GIBS is co-organizer with NOAA to conduct the 3rd International Deep-Sea Coral Symposium in Miami. GIBS is already funded by USGS (United States Geological Survey) and US MMS (Mineral Management Service) to organize this conference.